The Tennessee Department of Education has released a checklist for families interested in getting state money to send their children to private school.
The checklist centers on the controversial Education Freedom Scholarship Program, also known as the school voucher bill which uses state dollars to families interested in private school. That bill passed at the start of this year during a special session.
Those picked to receive a scholarship will get $7,295 to go towards enrolling in private school. The Tennessee Department of Education will award 20,000 scholarships with two types of eligibility, Universal Scholarships Open to any eligible student Quali ed Scholarships Reserved for eligible students based on income, IEA eligibility, or ESA eligibility .
An investigation is underway following an early morning (Thursday) hit and run accident in Halls.
Rural Metro Fire crews called to Maynardville Highway near East Emory Road and found one damaged car in the road while the other vehicle had fled the scene.
The driver of the vehicle at the scene was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
If you have any information, please contact authorities.
Today, April 9, 2025, Knoxville Fire Department investigators arrested and charged 42-year-old Brandon Humfleet with arson.
Humfleet was arrested earlier this morning following a fire at a business at 1520 Liberty Street. The fire was initially reported at 3:50 a.m.
When firefighters arrived at the business, they determined that the blaze had been intentionally set. Investigators worked throughout the morning to identify and locate the suspect.
Humfleet has now been charged with one count of arson and is being held at the Knox County Detention Facility.
No injuries were reported. The building received moderate fire damage and is open for business.
Two people are facing charges after they allegedly vandalized Lakeshore Park.
Knoxville Police and staff at Lakeshore Park say several people were caught on security video jumping the playground fence and spray painting inappropriate images and words on the slide and sidewalk last month.
KPD say the suspects are 20-year-old Victoria White and 19-year-old Austin Rogers, both of Loudon.
White and Rogers have both been charged with one count of vandalism and are scheduled to appear in court on June 3.
The Knoxville Smokies will take to the diamond inside Covenant Health Park on April 15th, marking a new era of baseball in East Tennessee.
Covenant Health Park, a joint venture by the Smokies, City of Knoxville, and Knox County, was built with the intention to bring baseball back to Knoxville and connect East Knoxville to downtown.
Yesterday (Tuesday), a crowd gathered outside the third base gate, known as Giants Landing, and watched as seven statues were unveiled as part of a ceremony honoring Black baseball in Knoxville.
The spot along Jackson Avenue where the new ballpark sits was historically a Black neighborhood.
The statues, created by master sculptor Brian Hanlon, highlight the Knoxville Giants of the Negro Southern League, the Knoxville Smokies and the first Little League program offered to Black children in Knoxville before integration.
The seven statues honor the likes of builders and players both.
Jerry Benjamin – A three-time All-Star outfielder in the Negro Leagues. Benjamin played his first season with the Knoxville Giants.
William M. Brooks – A founding executive member of the Negro Southern League, Brooks was the first Manager of the Knoxville Giants in 1920. He also taught at Austin High School and Green School.
Claude “Steel Arm” Dickey – A pitcher for the Knoxville Giants during the inaugural year in 1920, Dickey was a native of East Tennessee and known as “Pride of the South.”
Forrest “One Wing” Maddox, – Maddox was a pitcher and outfielder for the Giants in 1920. Some say he was the league’s first batting champion, despite losing his left arm to amputation when he was 10.
William Nathaniel “Nat” Rogers – A veteran outfielder, Rogers joined the Knoxville Giants in 1946, making history as the oldest active player in organized baseball at age 52.
“Big Jim” Tugerson – Top pitcher, Tugerson, while fighting racial injustice in the Deep South, played in the Mountain States League, integrating the 1953 Knoxville Smokies with an unmatched record of 29 regular season wins and an additional four playoff wins for the league championship. His brother also pitched for the Smokies.
Payne Avenue Little League – In 1951, Knoxville established its first Little League baseball team of Black children at the Payne Avenue Recreation Center on the hill next to Green School. The center was named after Richard “Uncle Dick” Payne, Knoxville’s first Black businessman.
McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy says deputies caught five burglars in the act at Sweetwater Airsoft.
Police were called to the business on County Road 275 Monday for a report of a theft in progress and found a Ford F-150 with two suspects inside, and as more deputies arrived, they found three more suspects at the corner of the property.
18 year-old Joshua Weber, 20 year-old James Whitner, 19 year-old Blake Fisher, 24 year-old Paiden Davis and a 17 year-old were taken into custody.
Guy says the stolen items were returned to the business owners as they were recovered.
Joshua Weber, 18, of Vonore
Two counts of burglary
Two counts of theft over $1,000
$56,000 bond
James Whitner, 20, of Sweetwater
Felony burglary
Theft over $2,500
$56,000 bond
Blake Fisher, 19, of Athens
Conspiracy to commit burglary
$5,000 bond
Paiden Davis, 24, of Vonore
Conspiracy to commit burglary
$10,000 bond
17-year-old juvenile
Charged separately through juvenile court
(L-R) Joshua Weber, James Whitmer, Blake Fisher, Paiden Davis(MCSO)
“It appeared that Weber and the juvenile had been to the Airsoft business at some time before and had returned the night before with Whitner, Davis and Fisher and burglarized it,” said Guy. “They returned the next night to do the same. Weber, Whitner and the juvenile broke in while Davis and Fisher waited outside in the truck. Several of the airsoft guns and other accessories had been hidden in the nearby woods, and deputies were able to locate those and others the thieves had taken to the homes of Webber and the juvenile in Monroe County. Those were later recovered from both locations with the assistance of Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies.”
Guy said the stolen items were returned to the business owners as they were recovered.
Nashville, TN (WSMV) Country music icon Dolly Parton is bringing her signature sparkle to the fashion world.
The limited edition denim line is called “Dolly’s Joleans,” named after her famous song “Jolene.”
Parton is collaborating with the brand Good American, which was co-founded by Khloé Kardashian. The brand is the first fully inclusive fashion brand, which offers pieces from size 00 to 32 Plus.
The line features denim pieces and tops with shimmering rhinestones and other glitzy details.
Parton says the jeans will “make any butt look good.”
The collection will be available for a limited time online and in-stores starting April 3rd. Prices range from $79 to $229.
The limited edition denim line is called “Dolly’s Joleans,” named after her famous song “Jolene.” (Courtesy: WVLT)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the federal REAL ID travel requirement taking effect on May 7, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will open 19 Driver Services Centers across the state on Saturday, April 5, for REAL ID appointments only.
The special Saturday openings are being offered by appointment only and are limited to customers seeking a REAL ID. Appointments are available to customers who already have a valid Tennessee driver license or identification card and bring the required documentation. Appointments must be scheduled in advance at www.tnrealid.gov.
“This is all about being responsive to the needs of Tennesseans,” said Commissioner Jeff Long. “We know many people have work, school or family obligations during the week. That’s why we’re expanding access on a Saturday — to give customers more flexibility.”
May 7 Is a Federal Implementation Date — Not a Deadline to Get a REAL ID
The federal government will begin enforcing the REAL ID requirement on May 7, 2025, for certain types of identification. After that date, a REAL ID (or an alternative like a valid U.S. passport or military ID) will be required to:
Board commercial domestic flights
Enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases or federal buildings
Tennessee residents can continue to get a REAL ID after May 7th. There is no state-imposed deadline, and your existing Tennessee driver license or ID will remain valid for other purposes, such as driving, voting, or accessing emergency services.
“If you’re unsure whether you need a REAL ID, visit tnrealid.gov,” said Assistant Commissioner Russell Shoup. “If you don’t fly or access secure federal sites, you may not need one at all. But if you do, we want to make sure you have access to get one without stress.”
Pro Tip: Check Nearby Counties for Availability
Customers in urban or high-demand areas may consider booking appointments at Driver Services Centers in neighboring, less-populated counties where availability may be greater.
Participating Driver Services Centers
REAL ID Appointments Only – Saturday, April 5
East Tennessee:
Oak Ridge
Knoxville – Strawberry Plains
Rockwood
Bonny Oaks
Morristown
Johnson City
Middle Tennessee:
Hickory Hollow
Lebanon
Murfreesboro – Samsonite Blvd
Franklin
Columbia
Cookeville
Clarksville
West Tennessee:
East Shelby
Bartlett Express
Jackson
Oakland
Trenton
Savannah
For more information on REAL ID, required documents, and to schedule your appointment, visit www.tnrealid.gov.
KNOXVILLE – Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic.
Beginning on Monday, March 31, and continuing through Saturday, April 5, the contractor will perform rolling roadblocks on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail. These rolling roadblocks will take place in short intervals (approximately 20 minutes each) and will be spaced out to allow traffic to return to normal flow between operations. These rolling roadblocks will be intermittent daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are necessary to allow crews to safely mobilize equipment and perform rock excavation and clearing activities.
In addition, beginning on Monday, March 31, and continuing through Saturday, April 5, crews will be conducting flagging operations on the ramp from northbound Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) at the traffic signal at Cherokee Trail and along Cherokee Trail between the Alcoa Highway interchange and Medical Center Way. These flagging operations will take place daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are necessary to allow crews to unload materials and for trucks to safely enter and exit the work areas.
Also, Life Star Road will be closed to thru traffic the nights of Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to allow crews to install new storm drainpipe across the roadway. Motorists should avoid using Life Star Road during these times and use Medical Center Way as an alternate route.
This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
